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Greeks Do Not Want to be Pitied

ByElena Paravantes, MS, RD

GReece Nisyros

And the saga continues … Everybody here is waiting to see what will happen here in Greece.

I, as most Greeks am hoping a solution will soon be found. For the time being, the economy is more on my mind than food, so I will share some thoughts:

Lately there have been several well-meaning articles inviting and urging readers to help Greece by buying Greek products or planning a vacation in Greece. My answer is this:

We would rather you visit Greece and buy Greek products because you like them, not out of pity.

We would rather you visit Greece for its beaches, its nightlife, its weather, its food, its history, its cafes, its mountains ….but not out of pity.

We would rather you buy Greek food products and Greek wine because they taste good, they are authentic, they are wholesome, nutritious…but not out of pity.

We would rather you buy Greek made clothes, shoes,  jewelry because you really like them…but not out of pity.

We would rather you hire a Greek person because they are intelligent, educated, hard-working…but not out of pity.

It is said that pity involves the belief in the inferiority of the object and as a result can easily insult or humiliate the recipient. This is true, we all have experienced it at a personal level, and it also applies to a nation as well.

So yes Greece has many things to offer to a consumer, a traveler, a foodie, but please explore them out of interest not out of pity.

Photo for flickr by lorenzog

Elena Paravantes, MS, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the U.S. Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). She is an expert on the Mediterranean Diet. She has been active as a clinician, consultant, author and lecturer for 20 years, both in the U.S. and Greece. An expert on the Greek Mediterranean Diet, her interviews and articles have been published in many publications including CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Prevention, NPR, and Shape. Elena has collaborated with a number of organizations including Loyola University, Yale University, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, and the American College of Greece. Elena earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She holds has a Master’s Degree of Science in Health Management.

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14 Comments

  1. I honestly do not know one person (& I know a lot – here in the States & in Europe) who feels pity for Greece but rather empathy. I have encouraged many ppl to go ahead with their plans for next summer. Everything that Greece has & has ever had to offer will be there. As always.

    xoxoxo

    Reply

  9. I am half Greek From my mother’s side. Always have been proud to be Greek. Feel bad that this has happened – a big problem that can be solved but a country cannot continue to live on other peoples ‘ money forever and continue to borrow and get into further debt. Hoping for a lasting solution soon.

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  11. You are right Eleni. Greece has so much more to offer than only european problems.
    So, enjoy Greece for his quality and his wonderfull countrylife, beaches and hospitallity

    Reply